BUSINESS/FINANCE

RevSports: A Place for All Vehicles

A new light shines through the night on Bloomington’s west side—the outdoor sign at Dunn’s RevSports, 2479 West Industrial Park Drive, a 14,000-square-foot facility selling parts and services for cars, SUVs, motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs.

Waggin Water: For Dogs on the Go

The idea for Waggin Water grew out of necessity, says founder Drew Whited. A Bloomington native who was living in Chicago at the time, Whited was often on the road with his dog Mickey, a long-haired Chihuahua.

The Schwartzmans of BuffaLouie’s: A Community-Minded Couple

As partners in love, parenting, and business, Ed and Jaimie Schwartzman share almost everything—including their sense of gratitude. “We always say, ‘God bless our broken road,’ because our road has twists and turns in it, and we couldn’t be happier,” Jaimie says.

The Uptown Cafe: A Bloomington Icon Since 1976

Michael Cassady supported himself through earning a political science degree at Indiana University by cooking, and at age 26 was still at it when his roommate asked, “When are you going to stop working for other people?”

David Howard: Renaissance Man on the Move

To use a juggling metaphor, David Howard is a guy who keeps a lot of plates spinning.
His latest project is Alley Works, a new apartment building with a restaurant complex at the former Yellow Cab site on 6th Street, west of the downtown Square.

CDFI Friendly Bloomington Offers Capital Resources for Civic Projects

Bloomington, like many cities, has infrastructure, housing, and transportation challenges that need to be addressed. But the solutions to those problems don’t offer the profit potential to attract traditional bank financing. Fortunately, there are non-traditional capital sources for civic projects, and Bloomington has a new resource to tap those funds.

Black Business Affinity Group Makes Chamber More Diverse

When Erin Predmore, president and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, attended the city’s 2019 State of the Black Community address last February, she realized that the Chamber lacked a strong connection to Bloomington’s black business community.

Money Matters: Don’t Fear Good Debt

Due to massive asset loss, many Americans purchased debt at an alarming rate over the past decade. MarketWatch reports that at the start of 2019, total consumer debt reached $14 trillion. That’s $66,945 per adult American, surpassing pre-recession levels by more than $1 trillion. Given the sheer volume of debt owed, it’s not surprising that Americans are beginning to fear debt—opting for debit cards over credit cards, renting over owning, and ride-sharing over vehicle ownership.

IU Prof Is ‘Thought Leader’ In the Fight for Cyberpeace

In September 2019, an international consortium with corporate funding launched the CyberPeace Institute, an independent nongovernmental agency created to address the growing impact of cybercrime. The institute is based in Geneva, Switzerland, but Indiana University is helping define its mission and programs. Among its thought leaders is Scott Shackelford, an associate professor at the IU Kelley School of Business.

Hoosier Farmers Show New Interest in Hemp

For the first time since the 1930s, Indiana farmers have been harvesting hemp. Owen County’s Trietsch Farms was one of a select group approved to grow hemp in 2019 as part of a research trial. Co-founders Jim Trietsch, his son, Ty, and Justin Daubenspeck grew more than 100,000 hemp plants for cannabidiol (CBD) oil and smokable CBD.

Saving & Paying Cash for a Car Is the Prudent Way to Purchase

Car loans are ubiquitous in the United States. According to Experian, a credit-reporting agency, about 45% of new cars and a little more than half of used cars purchased in the second quarter of 2018 were financed with loans. But car loans can be detrimental to one’s finances, so avoiding them and paying cash is the wiser choice if you can swing it.

Philanthropic Venture Fund Invests in IU-Related Startups

For those familiar with the high-risk, high-return business of venture capital, the phrase “philanthropic venture fund” may sound like a contradiction in terms. But in March 2018, Indiana University launched just such a fund, and it is generating start-up capital earmarked for the commercialization of IU discoveries as well as new business ventures founded by or run by IU faculty or alumni.

The May Agency—Insuring Monroe County for 70 Years

For 70 years, ISU The May Agency has been a family-owned and -operated business serving customers in Monroe County. It opened in 1949 when Charles May launched the independent insurance agency in Ellettsville after returning home from service in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Study Shows Positive Impact Of Arts on B-town’s Economy

It may seem tough to measure the economic impact of the performing arts on Bloomington, but a recent study has endeavored to do just that. Conducted by graduate students from the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) on behalf of Cardinal Stage, the study looked at everything from the dollars arts events bring to nearby businesses to the role performances play in enriching our quality of life.

‘Think Like a Dog’ Author Offers Words of Wisdom

Probably no creature in the world knows more about how to win friends and influence people than a dog, so the title of real estate executive Scott MacDonald’s new business book, Think Like a Dog (IU Press), makes sense.

Big Boy’s Moving Offers ‘An Opportunity to Serve’

With a company motto of “Moving you with an attitude of gratitude” and the stipulation that employees do volunteer work such as collecting and moving furniture donated to St. Vincent de Paul, Antonio Jackson says it’s clear Big Boy’s Moving is meant to be a vehicle for community service.

Precision Eye Group Adds Bedford Office

“Giving back to the community where I grew up is pretty special,” says Dr. Brandy Deckard, an optometrist and native of Bedford, Indiana. “Getting to be a bigger part of that community is neat.”

Dr. Beatriz Sanchez: Pathologist & Beauty Purveyor

Dr. Beatriz Sanchez took a circuitous path to Bloomington, a place she says fits her lifestyle and family, as well as her professional goals of detecting cancer and making people feel good about their appearance and themselves.

The Mill—An Incubator for Entrepreneurial Start-Ups

In 2015, when Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton took office, Dimension Mill, the century-old former Showers Brothers factory building at 642 N. Madison St., was the subject of a speculative plan to create a 12-acre Trades District. The hope was to accelerate a high-tech renaissance on the city’s near west side.

Money Matters: In Today’s Volatile World Should You Rent or Buy?

The American Dream has long been tied to homeownership, with renting a home traditionally reserved for young people or those unable to secure a mortgage. However, changes in the housing market, economy, and even our way of life may be altering that view, tipping the scale in favor of renting.

A Decade of Growth: Bailey & Weiler Design/Build

Craig Bailey and Don Weiler may seem like the proverbial odd couple, and the owners of Bailey & Weiler Design/Build do have very different skill sets. Bailey, 53, takes on the creative work; Weiler, 52, focuses on the business side. “He can’t do what I do, and I can’t do what he does,” Bailey says.

Why Long-Term Care Insurance Is Important

Discussions of health as we get older typically revolve around fears of serious illness, such as cognitive diseases or cancer. These discussions tend to focus on quantity of life, often failing to consider the need for a fulfilling quality of life.

Richardson Studio: Family Portraits Are a Specialty

Photographer Jeff Richardson has a philosophy about creating family portraits—he feels they should be an experience. He says there are plenty of competent photographers who can take a photo for the annual Christmas card. What he focuses on, he says, is capturing the really special moments.

All-Female Architectural Firm Specializes in Community Builds

You can call them community organizers, minus the petitions, posters, and marches. Armed instead with feasibility studies, CAD renderings, and blueprints, the team at the all-female Springpoint Architects has been building community its own way since 2014.

levitabl: Two Locals Invent a Sustainable Standing Desk

While using a standing table at an airport, Prashanth Jayaraman knew he could design a better, more sustainable option. Not only was the table not well-designed, the motor had broken and Jayaraman felt the entire desk would likely be junked instead of fixed.

Sterling Real Estate: A One-Woman Success Story

Trish Sterling, owner of Sterling Real Estate and a licensed real estate broker with the state of Indiana, founded her company during challenging times. In the mid-2000s, not only was the housing market tough but, Sterling says, “I had to reinvent myself after a divorce when I was 50.”

Loren Wood Builders: Where the Unusual Is Now Usual

Like a lot of people, Loren Wood, a native of Danville, Illinois, originally came to Bloomington to attend Indiana University, where he earned degrees in secondary education and math. But it was during his summers off, while working construction jobs, that he found his true passion.

Startup Ladies, A Place For Women Entrepreneurs

Kristen Cooper founded Startup Ladies—an organization that, according to its website, “identifies, educates, connects, and increases investment in women entrepreneurs starting up and scaling businesses”—in Indianapolis in 2014. Her goal was to help women create successful businesses “from idea to market to growth.”

Long Leather Works A Quiet Success Story

Forty years ago, Mike Long walked into a Florida leather shop and asked for a job. The owner asked if he knew how to make sandals. When he said no, the owner replied, “Yes, you do,” and, soon enough, he did. “I found it very easy,” Long says.

Fountain Square Mall Turns 30—How the Cooks Saved the Square

Fountain Square turns 30 on September 10. On Tuesday, September 4, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., CFC Properties, which owns the south side of the downtown Square, will host the 30th anniversary celebration on West Kirkwood and extend it into Fountain Square to tour the updated spaces.

Switchyard Brewing: Open for Business (at last!)

In May, after much anticipation and a few false starts, Switchyard Brewing Company officially became part of the Bloomington craft beer community. The grand opening, originally scheduled for last winter, showcased the extensive renovation of the former Jake’s Nightclub building at 419 N. Walnut into a brewery and taproom that is best described as rustic-industrial—polished concrete floors, limestone bar, rough-hewn lumber trim, stainless-steel brewing equipment, and plenty of natural light.

Time to Sign Up for YMCA’s Annual Corporate Challenge

When the Monroe County YMCA hosted its first Corporate Challenge in 1985, it attracted 10 companies and a total of 200 employees. Last year, 27 companies brought 900 people to compete in 35 individual and team events. Among those participating were Cook Group, Baxter, IU Credit Union, Catalent Biologics, and Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation.

Business Podcasts from Shine Feature Local Entrepreneurs

“We love our community and want to help people,” says Jeremy Goodrich, who, with his wife, McKenzie, launched Shine Insurance in 2013. As part of that mission, in 2016 the two developed a podcast series, Scratch Entrepreneur.

A Little Spencer Candy Store Hits Big Time with Fudge O’Bits

One night five years ago, Kristi Risk woke from a dream with an idea and popped out of bed to write it down. That idea became Fudge O’Bits, bite-size pieces of chocolate-coated fudge. Today, the tiny treats are the centerpiece of Diamond K Sweets and More, 109 S. Main St. in Spencer. The business launched in 2015 and was named the 2016 Owen County Business of the Year.

The Cade: A Place to Imbibe, Play Games, and ‘Geek Out’

A sign posted above the wooden bar at The Cade reads, “Play like a kid, but act like an adult.” That typifies the mindset of Jeremy Black, who co-owns the new arcade bar with his fiancée, Chelsea Long. Black says he created the bar to give people a place to enjoy a drink while they play arcade, board, and card games—and, essentially, “geek out.” 

B-Start: Program to Help Local Tech Entrepreneurs Succeed

In March, 11 local tech founders—hoping to win cash and greater visibility for their startups—will pitch ideas ranging from long-distance ride-sharing to a personal carbon offset exchange to a panel of judges. Hyperlocal and much friendlier, Demo Day is kind of like Shark Tank—sans sharks and snark. The big day is also the culmination of Bloomington’s 22-week-long B-Start program. 

Hoosier Barber Shop: Where Everyone is Welcome

Jay Thompson, owner of Hoosier Barber Shop, had barbered in Indianapolis and Kokomo before moving to Bloomington in 2000. He says in those cities, customers were divided along racial lines. Thompson says that’s what he loves about Bloomington—the diversity of his customers. 

The Briar & The Burley Celebrates 45 Years in Business

When owner Mike Fisher opened The Briar & The Burley, he thought Bloomington’s population of students and professors would be a good market for quality pipes, tobacco, and cigars. He wasn’t wrong, though times have changed.

More Local Businesses Filling College Mall Since Expansion

In 1965, when College Mall opened, Sears was its first anchor. That’s why the announcement in early 2016 that the global retail giant would be closing its Bloomington store later that summer may have seemed like a potential blow to the east-side landmark. Instead, it became an opportunity for growth and expansion. 

One World KitchenShare: Where Small Food Enterprises Prep & Cook

With the opening of One World KitchenShare—three professional-grade rental kitchens complete with prep tables, ranges, ovens, slicers, mixers, fryers, and more—One World cofounder and CEO Jeff Mease says, “Everybody who’s doing anything cool in the local food scene is pretty much here.” 

Whippoorwill Hill—An Event Venue With a History Dating Back to 1856

Driving south of Bloomington one evening in 2015, Anne Fields and her future husband, Jeff, stopped to check out a retro-looking “farm for sale” sign. “What’s back there?” she remembers wondering, so the two trekked down the secluded driveway that opened up to a big, beautiful field.

Ivy Tech Helps Local Workers Achieve Degrees—Debt Free!

When Roy McRoberts, 60, graduated from high school, he went into the military instead of going to college. After serving his country, he was busy providing for his family. Although he says he always wanted to attend college, he didn’t think it was a possibility until now.

It Takes More Than a Small Fire To Keep the Book Corner Down

When owner Margaret Taylor opened the doors to the Book Corner on November 15, 2016, she knew something was amiss. There was a haze in the air though she couldn’t smell anything. But her assistant manager, Patty Wong, says, “I could smell it immediately. There had been a fire.”

Local Luthier Helps Players Keep Guitars Fit as Fiddles

David Winslow-Edmonson, 33, has been repairing guitars since he was 12. “My dad has a background in lutherie as well,” he explains. “We mostly did work for ourselves and our friends, and then turned it into a business.”

Picasso Moon Painting Offers ‘Something Artful,’ Says Owner

Tim Murphy of Picasso Moon Painting specializes in interior residential and commercial painting. He has done jobs as varied as painting a lawn totem pole to painting a 3,000-square-foot home inside and out. His commercial clients include the Uptown Cafe and several medical offices.

JB Screening Partners: Why Take a Chance on New Employees?

You’ve found the person you want to hire. The candidate’s qualifications match your needs, and the interview went well, but this is a sensitive position, so you want to be sure there are no red flags in the applicant’s background. That’s when you might want to call a company that does comprehensive background checks, such as JB Screening Partners.

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BUSINESS/FINANCE

RevSports: A Place for All Vehicles

A new light shines through the night on Bloomington’s west side—the outdoor sign at Dunn’s RevSports, 2479 West Industrial Park Drive, a 14,000-square-foot facility selling parts and services for cars, SUVs, motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs.

Waggin Water: For Dogs on the Go

The idea for Waggin Water grew out of necessity, says founder Drew Whited. A Bloomington native who was living in Chicago at the time, Whited was often on the road with his dog Mickey, a long-haired Chihuahua.

The Schwartzmans of BuffaLouie’s: A Community-Minded Couple

As partners in love, parenting, and business, Ed and Jaimie Schwartzman share almost everything—including their sense of gratitude. “We always say, ‘God bless our broken road,’ because our road has twists and turns in it, and we couldn’t be happier,” Jaimie says.

The Uptown Cafe: A Bloomington Icon Since 1976

Michael Cassady supported himself through earning a political science degree at Indiana University by cooking, and at age 26 was still at it when his roommate asked, “When are you going to stop working for other people?”

David Howard: Renaissance Man on the Move

To use a juggling metaphor, David Howard is a guy who keeps a lot of plates spinning.
His latest project is Alley Works, a new apartment building with a restaurant complex at the former Yellow Cab site on 6th Street, west of the downtown Square.

CDFI Friendly Bloomington Offers Capital Resources for Civic Projects

Bloomington, like many cities, has infrastructure, housing, and transportation challenges that need to be addressed. But the solutions to those problems don’t offer the profit potential to attract traditional bank financing. Fortunately, there are non-traditional capital sources for civic projects, and Bloomington has a new resource to tap those funds.

Black Business Affinity Group Makes Chamber More Diverse

When Erin Predmore, president and CEO of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, attended the city’s 2019 State of the Black Community address last February, she realized that the Chamber lacked a strong connection to Bloomington’s black business community.

Money Matters: Don’t Fear Good Debt

Due to massive asset loss, many Americans purchased debt at an alarming rate over the past decade. MarketWatch reports that at the start of 2019, total consumer debt reached $14 trillion. That’s $66,945 per adult American, surpassing pre-recession levels by more than $1 trillion. Given the sheer volume of debt owed, it’s not surprising that Americans are beginning to fear debt—opting for debit cards over credit cards, renting over owning, and ride-sharing over vehicle ownership.

IU Prof Is ‘Thought Leader’ In the Fight for Cyberpeace

In September 2019, an international consortium with corporate funding launched the CyberPeace Institute, an independent nongovernmental agency created to address the growing impact of cybercrime. The institute is based in Geneva, Switzerland, but Indiana University is helping define its mission and programs. Among its thought leaders is Scott Shackelford, an associate professor at the IU Kelley School of Business.

Hoosier Farmers Show New Interest in Hemp

For the first time since the 1930s, Indiana farmers have been harvesting hemp. Owen County’s Trietsch Farms was one of a select group approved to grow hemp in 2019 as part of a research trial. Co-founders Jim Trietsch, his son, Ty, and Justin Daubenspeck grew more than 100,000 hemp plants for cannabidiol (CBD) oil and smokable CBD.

Saving & Paying Cash for a Car Is the Prudent Way to Purchase

Car loans are ubiquitous in the United States. According to Experian, a credit-reporting agency, about 45% of new cars and a little more than half of used cars purchased in the second quarter of 2018 were financed with loans. But car loans can be detrimental to one’s finances, so avoiding them and paying cash is the wiser choice if you can swing it.

Philanthropic Venture Fund Invests in IU-Related Startups

For those familiar with the high-risk, high-return business of venture capital, the phrase “philanthropic venture fund” may sound like a contradiction in terms. But in March 2018, Indiana University launched just such a fund, and it is generating start-up capital earmarked for the commercialization of IU discoveries as well as new business ventures founded by or run by IU faculty or alumni.

The May Agency—Insuring Monroe County for 70 Years

For 70 years, ISU The May Agency has been a family-owned and -operated business serving customers in Monroe County. It opened in 1949 when Charles May launched the independent insurance agency in Ellettsville after returning home from service in the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Study Shows Positive Impact Of Arts on B-town’s Economy

It may seem tough to measure the economic impact of the performing arts on Bloomington, but a recent study has endeavored to do just that. Conducted by graduate students from the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) on behalf of Cardinal Stage, the study looked at everything from the dollars arts events bring to nearby businesses to the role performances play in enriching our quality of life.

‘Think Like a Dog’ Author Offers Words of Wisdom

Probably no creature in the world knows more about how to win friends and influence people than a dog, so the title of real estate executive Scott MacDonald’s new business book, Think Like a Dog (IU Press), makes sense.

Big Boy’s Moving Offers ‘An Opportunity to Serve’

With a company motto of “Moving you with an attitude of gratitude” and the stipulation that employees do volunteer work such as collecting and moving furniture donated to St. Vincent de Paul, Antonio Jackson says it’s clear Big Boy’s Moving is meant to be a vehicle for community service.

Precision Eye Group Adds Bedford Office

“Giving back to the community where I grew up is pretty special,” says Dr. Brandy Deckard, an optometrist and native of Bedford, Indiana. “Getting to be a bigger part of that community is neat.”

Dr. Beatriz Sanchez: Pathologist & Beauty Purveyor

Dr. Beatriz Sanchez took a circuitous path to Bloomington, a place she says fits her lifestyle and family, as well as her professional goals of detecting cancer and making people feel good about their appearance and themselves.

The Mill—An Incubator for Entrepreneurial Start-Ups

In 2015, when Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton took office, Dimension Mill, the century-old former Showers Brothers factory building at 642 N. Madison St., was the subject of a speculative plan to create a 12-acre Trades District. The hope was to accelerate a high-tech renaissance on the city’s near west side.

Money Matters: In Today’s Volatile World Should You Rent or Buy?

The American Dream has long been tied to homeownership, with renting a home traditionally reserved for young people or those unable to secure a mortgage. However, changes in the housing market, economy, and even our way of life may be altering that view, tipping the scale in favor of renting.

A Decade of Growth: Bailey & Weiler Design/Build

Craig Bailey and Don Weiler may seem like the proverbial odd couple, and the owners of Bailey & Weiler Design/Build do have very different skill sets. Bailey, 53, takes on the creative work; Weiler, 52, focuses on the business side. “He can’t do what I do, and I can’t do what he does,” Bailey says.

Why Long-Term Care Insurance Is Important

Discussions of health as we get older typically revolve around fears of serious illness, such as cognitive diseases or cancer. These discussions tend to focus on quantity of life, often failing to consider the need for a fulfilling quality of life.

Richardson Studio: Family Portraits Are a Specialty

Photographer Jeff Richardson has a philosophy about creating family portraits—he feels they should be an experience. He says there are plenty of competent photographers who can take a photo for the annual Christmas card. What he focuses on, he says, is capturing the really special moments.

All-Female Architectural Firm Specializes in Community Builds

You can call them community organizers, minus the petitions, posters, and marches. Armed instead with feasibility studies, CAD renderings, and blueprints, the team at the all-female Springpoint Architects has been building community its own way since 2014.

levitabl: Two Locals Invent a Sustainable Standing Desk

While using a standing table at an airport, Prashanth Jayaraman knew he could design a better, more sustainable option. Not only was the table not well-designed, the motor had broken and Jayaraman felt the entire desk would likely be junked instead of fixed.

Sterling Real Estate: A One-Woman Success Story

Trish Sterling, owner of Sterling Real Estate and a licensed real estate broker with the state of Indiana, founded her company during challenging times. In the mid-2000s, not only was the housing market tough but, Sterling says, “I had to reinvent myself after a divorce when I was 50.”

Loren Wood Builders: Where the Unusual Is Now Usual

Like a lot of people, Loren Wood, a native of Danville, Illinois, originally came to Bloomington to attend Indiana University, where he earned degrees in secondary education and math. But it was during his summers off, while working construction jobs, that he found his true passion.

Startup Ladies, A Place For Women Entrepreneurs

Kristen Cooper founded Startup Ladies—an organization that, according to its website, “identifies, educates, connects, and increases investment in women entrepreneurs starting up and scaling businesses”—in Indianapolis in 2014. Her goal was to help women create successful businesses “from idea to market to growth.”

Long Leather Works A Quiet Success Story

Forty years ago, Mike Long walked into a Florida leather shop and asked for a job. The owner asked if he knew how to make sandals. When he said no, the owner replied, “Yes, you do,” and, soon enough, he did. “I found it very easy,” Long says.

Fountain Square Mall Turns 30—How the Cooks Saved the Square

Fountain Square turns 30 on September 10. On Tuesday, September 4, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., CFC Properties, which owns the south side of the downtown Square, will host the 30th anniversary celebration on West Kirkwood and extend it into Fountain Square to tour the updated spaces.

Switchyard Brewing: Open for Business (at last!)

In May, after much anticipation and a few false starts, Switchyard Brewing Company officially became part of the Bloomington craft beer community. The grand opening, originally scheduled for last winter, showcased the extensive renovation of the former Jake’s Nightclub building at 419 N. Walnut into a brewery and taproom that is best described as rustic-industrial—polished concrete floors, limestone bar, rough-hewn lumber trim, stainless-steel brewing equipment, and plenty of natural light.

Time to Sign Up for YMCA’s Annual Corporate Challenge

When the Monroe County YMCA hosted its first Corporate Challenge in 1985, it attracted 10 companies and a total of 200 employees. Last year, 27 companies brought 900 people to compete in 35 individual and team events. Among those participating were Cook Group, Baxter, IU Credit Union, Catalent Biologics, and Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation.

Business Podcasts from Shine Feature Local Entrepreneurs

“We love our community and want to help people,” says Jeremy Goodrich, who, with his wife, McKenzie, launched Shine Insurance in 2013. As part of that mission, in 2016 the two developed a podcast series, Scratch Entrepreneur.

A Little Spencer Candy Store Hits Big Time with Fudge O’Bits

One night five years ago, Kristi Risk woke from a dream with an idea and popped out of bed to write it down. That idea became Fudge O’Bits, bite-size pieces of chocolate-coated fudge. Today, the tiny treats are the centerpiece of Diamond K Sweets and More, 109 S. Main St. in Spencer. The business launched in 2015 and was named the 2016 Owen County Business of the Year.

The Cade: A Place to Imbibe, Play Games, and ‘Geek Out’

A sign posted above the wooden bar at The Cade reads, “Play like a kid, but act like an adult.” That typifies the mindset of Jeremy Black, who co-owns the new arcade bar with his fiancée, Chelsea Long. Black says he created the bar to give people a place to enjoy a drink while they play arcade, board, and card games—and, essentially, “geek out.” 

B-Start: Program to Help Local Tech Entrepreneurs Succeed

In March, 11 local tech founders—hoping to win cash and greater visibility for their startups—will pitch ideas ranging from long-distance ride-sharing to a personal carbon offset exchange to a panel of judges. Hyperlocal and much friendlier, Demo Day is kind of like Shark Tank—sans sharks and snark. The big day is also the culmination of Bloomington’s 22-week-long B-Start program. 

Hoosier Barber Shop: Where Everyone is Welcome

Jay Thompson, owner of Hoosier Barber Shop, had barbered in Indianapolis and Kokomo before moving to Bloomington in 2000. He says in those cities, customers were divided along racial lines. Thompson says that’s what he loves about Bloomington—the diversity of his customers. 

The Briar & The Burley Celebrates 45 Years in Business

When owner Mike Fisher opened The Briar & The Burley, he thought Bloomington’s population of students and professors would be a good market for quality pipes, tobacco, and cigars. He wasn’t wrong, though times have changed.

More Local Businesses Filling College Mall Since Expansion

In 1965, when College Mall opened, Sears was its first anchor. That’s why the announcement in early 2016 that the global retail giant would be closing its Bloomington store later that summer may have seemed like a potential blow to the east-side landmark. Instead, it became an opportunity for growth and expansion. 

One World KitchenShare: Where Small Food Enterprises Prep & Cook

With the opening of One World KitchenShare—three professional-grade rental kitchens complete with prep tables, ranges, ovens, slicers, mixers, fryers, and more—One World cofounder and CEO Jeff Mease says, “Everybody who’s doing anything cool in the local food scene is pretty much here.” 

Whippoorwill Hill—An Event Venue With a History Dating Back to 1856

Driving south of Bloomington one evening in 2015, Anne Fields and her future husband, Jeff, stopped to check out a retro-looking “farm for sale” sign. “What’s back there?” she remembers wondering, so the two trekked down the secluded driveway that opened up to a big, beautiful field.

Ivy Tech Helps Local Workers Achieve Degrees—Debt Free!

When Roy McRoberts, 60, graduated from high school, he went into the military instead of going to college. After serving his country, he was busy providing for his family. Although he says he always wanted to attend college, he didn’t think it was a possibility until now.

It Takes More Than a Small Fire To Keep the Book Corner Down

When owner Margaret Taylor opened the doors to the Book Corner on November 15, 2016, she knew something was amiss. There was a haze in the air though she couldn’t smell anything. But her assistant manager, Patty Wong, says, “I could smell it immediately. There had been a fire.”

Local Luthier Helps Players Keep Guitars Fit as Fiddles

David Winslow-Edmonson, 33, has been repairing guitars since he was 12. “My dad has a background in lutherie as well,” he explains. “We mostly did work for ourselves and our friends, and then turned it into a business.”

Picasso Moon Painting Offers ‘Something Artful,’ Says Owner

Tim Murphy of Picasso Moon Painting specializes in interior residential and commercial painting. He has done jobs as varied as painting a lawn totem pole to painting a 3,000-square-foot home inside and out. His commercial clients include the Uptown Cafe and several medical offices.

JB Screening Partners: Why Take a Chance on New Employees?

You’ve found the person you want to hire. The candidate’s qualifications match your needs, and the interview went well, but this is a sensitive position, so you want to be sure there are no red flags in the applicant’s background. That’s when you might want to call a company that does comprehensive background checks, such as JB Screening Partners.

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